Over humps, i'm getting this horrid rattle/clunk sound

[akkord]

...in my ahem fiat punto (1998)...

i thought it was the exhaust rattling or hitting speed bumps (which it wasn't) or maybe some bolts just need a tighten but it sounds more internal, when i parked up and bounced the back end, the sound came from both sides. i'm gonna visit my garage tomorrow but do any people have any trouble shooting tips that i could look into?

cheers for any info

Edited by akkord on Tuesday 15th June 19:52

[Eggman]

My money's on it being the rear subframe bushes. MkI Puntos are prone to it.

[interloper]

Could possibly be...

Tailgate hinges?

Badly mounted exhaust?

Suspension top struts?

Suspension bushes?

Anti roll bar bushes?

The fact its a Fiat!

Or might be something you left in the boot?

Happy hunting!

[freecar]

Sounds like you've got worn bushes. Jack up one corner of the car and while watching the suspension components pry a bar under the tyre and load up the wheel. The bushes stop all movement between differnt parts, when worn these parts will move independently of each other. You should see no movement if everything is ok but if not the joints will open up under load. This movement between parts causes a "knock" as the parts bang back and forth.

[Ry_B]

Bushes or top mounts

[akkord]

freecar said:

Sounds like you've got worn bushes. Jack up one corner of the car and while watching the suspension components pry a bar under the tyre and load up the wheel. The bushes stop all movement between differnt parts, when worn these parts will move independently of each other. You should see no movement if everything is ok but if not the joints will open up under load. This movement between parts causes a "knock" as the parts bang back and forth.

cheers for this info, i will see if i can locate the issue with this :-)

i'm making a long journey in a couple of days, if it does turn out to be worn bushes is it something that could wait on or should i get it fixed immediately? i'm concerned about being without my car for a few days :-(

cheers

[Eggman]

It'll keep. Don't leave it until just before your MOT though, 'cos it'll fail and the parts are hard to get. I've just been reading that Vectra ones fit, but that's something you would need to investigate yourself.

[akkord]

Eggman said:

It'll keep. Don't leave it until just before your MOT though, 'cos it'll fail and the parts are hard to get. I've just been reading that Vectra ones fit, but that's something you would need to investigate yourself.

cheers, i'll see how it goes then...and get looking for replacements

[akkord]

turns out the rear wheel arms (i think this is what the mechanic said) have got a bit of 'give' in them, he showed me the problem and as he shook the wheel there was a little movement in both.

116.50 x2 plus labour = not worth my while...i will make my trip but have to avoid going heavy over bumps...then i'll get rid.